Introduction
Over 300,000 whales and dolphins are estimated to die annually due to bycatch and entanglement in fishing gear. This can have devastating, long-term conservation impacts on species and populations. Entanglement is also a serious welfare issue. It can lead to drowning as trapped animals cannot reach the surface to breathe, to laceration and infection as heavy ropes bite through skin, and to starvation as animals towing heavy fishing gear cannot feed effectively.
There can also be serious economic consequences for the companies and communities who lose expensive fishing gear when it entangles a whale and is dragged away and lost.
Human safety is another very important concern. Handling any large, wild animal can be dangerous. Responding to one that is likely to be injured and distressed, whilst using sharp knives, high tension ropes, manoeuvring boats on open water and assessing changing weather conditions, requires training and calm, careful implementation of safety protocols, minimising risk to the responders and conducting the most effective disentanglement possible, whatever the scenario. In addition, responders are expected to gather as much information from each disentanglement attempt as part of an ongoing effort to understand the sources and impacts of entanglement.
In response to growing concern over the rising number of entanglements and their impact on both whales and responders, the IWC launched a Global Whale Entanglement Response Network (GWERN) in 2011. The immediate aim of the programme was to build safe and effective entanglement response capability around the world. GWERN is also working in partnership with the IWC’s Bycatch Mitigation Initiative (BMI) on the long-term goal of preventing entanglements from happening in the first place.
The programme is a partnership with the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS), Provincetown, considered one of the global leaders in entanglement response. It is managed by two highly experienced technical coordinators, one based at CCS and one based at RABEN, Mexico. Their work is guided by an internationally recognised Expert Panel.
Together, this group of experts developed global Best Practice Guidelines and devised a two-day entanglement response training package. The training starts in the classroom, with information on data collection, relevant laws or regulations, and cetacean species present in the region. Practical sessions follow, first working on land to familiarise participants with specialist disentanglement tools and techniques, before moving onto the water to simulate actions that responders are likely to confront during disentanglement. All training workshops are organised in conjunction with the relevant national government authorities.
The first IWC/CCS training workshop was held in March 2012. Since then, the training has been delivered on five continents, reaching over 1700 people from more 43 countries. Trainees range from scientists, conservationists, whale watching operators and fishers to government representatives, regulators and members of naval or coast guard services. A ‘train the trainer’ apprenticeship programme has also been developed and led to the creation of six additional trainers, including native Spanish and Portuguese speakers.
Since 2012, entanglement response training has been delivered in all the countries shaded blue
As well as equipping regions, countries and coastlines with the skills to build their own entanglement response capability and creating a global network of professional response teams, every participant is taught the importance of accurate and consistent data gathering. It is only through a concerted, international effort that enough data can be obtained to gain a more precise understanding of where entanglements happen and which species and types of fishing gear are most frequently involved. This information is vital to achieve the long-term goal of preventing entanglements happening in the first place.
The Global Whale Entanglement Response Network has shown how much can be achieved when international expertise is given a clear, collaborative focus. It has become a blueprint for other IWC initiatives aiming to address cetacean bycatch, stranding and vessel collisions.
Read the Guidelines for Responding to Large Whale Entanglements
Small Cetacean Entanglement
Responding to entangled dolphins and porpoises requires different approaches and protocols to those developed for large whale entanglements.
In 2024 the IWC Scientific endorsed new guidelines for responding to entangled, free swimming small cetaceans.
Read the guidelines for responding to entangled, free-swimming small cetaceans
Lea las buenas prácticas para el desenredo de pequeños cetáceos que nadan libremente
Lire les meilleures practiques pour le desenchevetrement des petits cetaces nageant librement
Additional Resources
- Click here to watch a short film about GWERN produced by the Center for Coastal Studies, the IWC's partner organisation in the Global Whale Entanglement Network.
- Click here to watch a short film about the 4-day team effort to free a humpback whale from 4000 lbs of entangled fishing gear.
- Click here to watch a short film showing each step in the operation to disentangle a humpback whale known as Crinkle.
- Click here to watch a short film about the establishment of the Mexican Entanglement Response team, who were trained by the IWC Network.
- Click here to read an article on disentanglement by RABEN, the entanglement response team for Mexico, member of the Global Entanglement Response Network, and one of the first to receive training under the programme.
- Click here for more information about members of the IWC Expert Panel on Entanglement Response.
- Click here for an image gallery on whale entanglement.
- Click here for a short booklet about the IWC Entanglement Response Network.
Below are reports of three IWC workshops on entanglement:
Donations
The work of the Global Whale Entanglement Network is only possible thanks to generous voluntary contributions from governments and other organisations. If your organisation is interested in donating in support this programme please contact secretariat@iwc.int.
|
|
|
The operation to remove gillnet from the entire body
|
Humpback entangled in lobster pot gear off Western Australia.
Entanglement response workshops begin in the classroom, Peru.
Entanglements can cut through blubber and flesh, 
Practising with high tension rope and pole mounted 
Testing the new tools and techniques on the water, Namibia.
Additional Resources
- Click here to watch a short film about the 4-day team effort to free a humpback whale from 4000 lbs of entangled fishing gear.
- Click here to watch a short film showing each step in the operation to disentangle a humpback whale known as Crinkle.
- Click here for a short booklet about the IWC Entanglement Response Network.
- Click here for more information about members of the IWC Whale Entanglement Response Network.
- Click here for an image gallery on whale entanglement.
- Click here to watch a short film produced by the Center for Coastal Studies, the IWC's partner organisation in the Global Whale Entanglement Network.
- Click here to watch a short film about entanglement response from the Center for Coastal Studies, Provincetown, who partner the IWC in the Global Entanglement Response Network.
- Click here to watch a short film about the establishment of the Mexican Entanglement Response team, who were trained by the IWC Network.
- Click here to read an article on disentanglement by RABEN, the entanglement response team for Mexico, member of the Global Entanglement Response Network, and one of the first to receive training under the programme.
Below are links to reports of three IWC workshops on entanglement:
